Moyes excited by Fer signing

29 January 2013 04:47

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Everton boss David Moyes believes Leroy Fer will prove an exciting young addition to the Barclays Premier League.

The Toffees announced on Monday they had agreed an Â£8.6million deal with FC Twente for the midfielder, who was undergoing a medical while Moyes conducted his press conference. Fer, 23, is nicknamed 'The Bouncer' because of his combative style in the middle of the park and is poised to become Everton's first signing of the January transfer window.

Moyes said: "He's someone who we've liked for a long time. He's young and he's certainly an up-and-coming prospect, which we like the sound of. He is somebody who we think can help us."

He added: "He's a really good player, but he's not signed yet, he's only part way through his medical, so there's a bit to go before we can confirm anything."

If everything goes smoothly, Fer could make his debut against Aston Villa on Saturday, and the Dutchman hopes he will be a natural fit for English football.

Fer told Voetbal International: "A transfer in January is not ideal. But I think Everton is a nice club and a serious challenger for a place in the Champions League. The Premier League is a league that I've always wanted to play football in. With my style of play, I think England will be the right place to go."

First up for the Toffees is a home match against West Brom on Wednesday, where they will hope to take the momentum from Saturday's last-gasp FA Cup fourth-round victory over Bolton.

Everton have drawn both their last two league games without scoring, against Swansea and Southampton, but remain in fifth place and only three points off the top four.

Moyes said: "We've worked hard to be in a strong position in the Premier League. We're slightly disappointed that we drew the last two games but it hasn't got us in any worse position. We've now got a couple of home games and we have to try to take advantage of it.

"But West Brom are a tough nut to crack. They're one of the only teams who have beaten us this season, and I think Steve Clarke's done a really good job. If anybody's turning up thinking this is a foregone conclusion, they're quite a bit off the mark I think."